Issue - meetings

This application was for the erection of up to 350 new dwellings (Use Class C3) with all matters reserved on land North East of Stirchley Interchange, Nedge Hill, Telford, Shropshire.

A deferral of this application had been agreed at Planning Committee on the 15^th December 2021 to allow Officers to negotiate with the Applicant in respect of concerns relating to the impact on the local highway network, the impact on the existing riding centre and the lack of on-site facilities and the sites proximity to the existing local centre.  These concerns had been addressed in the report and the recommendation remained for approval.

Councillor N England, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application as he felt that previous concerns had not been addressed.  He was not satisfied with the roundabout and highway safety and the distances to the local facilities and he remained of the opinion that the development should be refused.

Miss L Cooper spoke on behalf of Mrs K Curtis, who was unable to attend the meeting, as a member of the public.  She raised concerns regarding the clarification of the ownership of the land, the 51 additional dwellings above the Local Plan allocation, the impact on the highway network, lack of communication, the impact on neighbouring properties, the ability of large farm machinery to use the highway, the access, lack of off-road parking and parking spaces.  There needed to be uninterrupted access to Nedge Farm and concerns were raised regarding the buffer zone, recreational grazing and the access to the riding centre for the benefit of the local community.

Mr D Stengel, the Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the application.  Further negotiations had taken place with Planning Officers to clarify the concerns raised by Members.  The agent confirmed that it was a residential site which was allocated within the Local Plan.  The stables did not form part of the application site boundary, although the fields that were used for grazing were.  The Lease on the fields with Homes England would end in 2023 and Telford and Wrekin Council had met with Nedge Farm to agree licence terms and the agent advised that they would not have to close the riding stables. There would be a buffer zone between the dwellings and the farm house.  Services or health care were not required on site and the highways impacts had been assessed against the transport model.  There would be S106 contributions towards education, highways, landscaping and 25% affordable housing, if Members were minded to approve the application.

The Area Team Manager addressed Members and advised that the expiry of the lease for the riding centre was a civil matter and was outside planning control.  The key point was that the land forming this application was allocated however land to the side of the farm house was leased from Homes England and the licence had been discussed with Nedge Farm and was awaiting signature.  The stopping up of the access was under a separate piece of legislation and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 240